Would you like to bring your vision to the BNA? Consider becoming a board member. At our annual community meeting we will hold elections for open board seats. Please email birchwoodboardmember@gmail.com if you are interested, can attend Tuesday evening meetings, and are willing to serve a three-year term. Explain why you’re interested and what skills you bring that would help our organization. To qualify, you must be one of the following:
1. Resident: An individual whose primary residence is within the neighborhood, whether owned or rented.
2. Property owner: An individual who owns real property in the neighborhood.
3. Business owner: An individual who owns a licensed business operating within the neighborhood.
4. Business operator: An individual who is the on-site manager of a business operating within the neighborhood.
Current board members
Sarah Gardner (president): I lived in Whatcom County in the nineties and noughties “homesteading” on 20 acres while working in Bellingham. Life brought me to Puget Sound where I raised my 2 children and worked for Washington State as a facilitator teaching workshops and lending support to low income individuals from diverse backgrounds at North Seattle College. In 2020, I moved to Birchwood after my children fledged and have been remodeling a 1915 house in need of much love while raising a boisterous puppy. I enjoy creating art and spending time in wild places out of cell phone range.
Joy Patterson (vice president): I’ve lived in Birchwood since 2006. I’ve been a teacher for decades, served on the BNA board from 2016-19, and as secretary from 2017-19. I’m an avid gardener, love cooking, wild places, trails, parks, and beaches. I want to see our community become as vibrant as possible in terms of affordability, accessibility, walkability, and wellbeing. I’m lucky to live in Bellingham, and am especially fond of our neighborhood.
Jeannie Gilbert (treasurer): I moved to Bellingham with my family in 1998 and into my current house in 2000. I came to go to WWU in the Marine Science program, went to work there in 2003, and retired recently. I have been the treasurer of the BNA for a few years now and love working on the Birchwood International Market. I run a webcast radio station and do crafts in my “spare” time. I have been so impressed with the “Wood Hood’s” ability to help their own and I am hoping now that the pandemic has loosened its grip, that through community meetings, the Market, and other events we can revitalize our sense of community in this unique place.
Carter Fuehr (secretary): I moved to Bellingham with in 2017 to attend BTC for the machining course. After 6 months I moved into Birchwood, and what a difference it made! Meeting so many people here has been great. I like gardening, gaming, rollerblading, and volunteering. You’ll find me nearly every Saturday at the Birchwood Food Desert Fighters (BFDF) Share Spot.
Louise Bjornson (Mayor’s neighborhood advisory committee rep): I moved to Birchwood with my family in 1969, and love our Victory Garden neighborhood. We raised chickens, goats, and a lot of our food in our backyard, and are glad so many neighbors are raising produce to share. Our children went through Birchwood, Shuksan and Bellingham High School and my husband was a teacher here. I have been on the Birchwood board previously and served on the Bellingham City Council for 22 years, working to keep Bellingham and Birchwood a great place to live, with parks and pedestrian safety a priority. I love to read and hear stories about our community history and was lucky to talk personally with miners who had worked in the coal mine under our neighborhood. (360-733-7756)
Anne Marie Karlberg: My husband, two girls, and I moved to Bellingham (Toad Lake) in 1997 and we then moved into Birchwood in 2013. I worked at Northwest Indian College for 9 years and have been working at Whatcom Community College since 2008. I love walking the wonderful trails we have in the Birchwood neighborhood, gardening, and playing ice hockey.
Stephanie Twiford: I was born in Bellingham, went to Lowell, Fairhaven & Sehome & WWU. Lived in Anchorage for 4 years, Hawaii’s Big Island & Aspen Colorado for a season. We purchased my aunt & uncle’s house in Birchwood in 1986 when our son was born, our daughter arrived in 1991. I volunteered at Birchwood, Shuksan & Bellingham, also with kids soccer, baseball and hockey teams. Most days I’m working in my yard or out for a walk with Lou my Golden Retriever. I love our neighborhood and enjoy being a member of the BNA board. I will work to retain the character of our neighborhood & keep our neighborhood safe.
Ria Bordian: I grew up in Vancouver, BC and settled in Bellingham in 1989. I have experience with Cherry Point Refinery, volunteer crisis management, and flood and hurricane response. I love this part of town and appreciates the diversity and sense of community throughout Birchwood. My dog, Olive (an English Cream Retriever) and 18lb Siberian cat, Cedar, enjoy their large backyard and trails nearby. I support many non-profits within Whatcom County including the Whatcom Humane Society, United Way, and Sean Humphrey House. I look forward to working with the Birchwood community to continue improving the neighborhood and addressing concerns as a collective for the greater good of our residents.
Renee Evans: I was born in Ventura, CA and after attending Cal Poly San Luis Obispo to study Enology (winemaking), I spent the following decade traveling around the world continuing to learn to make wine in several different wineries in different countries. Having always been drawn to the mountains and the sea, I moved to Bellingham in the summer of 2020 (what a time to move to a new place)! But I did land myself an awesome spot in the Birchwood neighborhood, which has felt like the first real home to me in several years. In the hours that I am not working, I love to garden, get drinks with friends, ride my bike around town, cook and bake sourdough bread, hangout with my cat, and explore the outdoors. I am excited to be a part of the board as a representative of the renters and millennials in our neighborhood!
Eric Scott: I have lived in Bellingham for 23 years and in the Birchwood neighborhood at our home on McLeod Rd for 13 years. I have worked various engineering jobs, full time and contract for about 15 years. My purpose for serving on the BNA board is to learn about issues that threaten Birchwood and work to protect the neighborhood.
MaryLou White: I’ve been a resident of the Birchwood neighborhood for over 30 years. My interest in being on the board is to represent the members of this community that want to maintain the character of the neighborhood as described in a neighborhood plan – specifically, single family homes, large lots, rural feel and wildlife.